my pockets are burning...

December 2012

12/18/2012

I know I can't be the only one counting down the days until our long weekend is finally here. I got a little too excited the other day and decided to download an app to reinforce my crazy. I'm kind of obsessed with it. It's been giving me updates on just how close Friday happens to be, and the design is easy on the eyes. So, I mean, if you're looking for another pointless app to download, why not? It's free. Also, I can't decide if it's reassuring or depressing to know that my quarter-life crisis is 185 days away. Regardless, download it and wish your life away like I've been doing lately.

12/17/2012

This December, the weather on the eastern seaboard has been pretty amenable to the skirt/tights combo. Which is good as far as I'm concerned because I've been pretty taken with miniskirts this season. Maybe it's because I'm short, maybe it's because I'm averse to pants -- whatever the reason, I hope this weather stays warm-ish, because I'm stocking up on tights.

12/14/2012

Ok, so, I'm definitely guilty of tribal print, feather accessories, and fringe overload. Sorry I'm not sorry. But for you ladies looking to work a little boho in your life without being all, "HEY, I'M FREE-SPIRITED TOO," just rock your own personal arm party. I can't get enough, but since I hate bracelets that roll up and down my arm, I'm limited to adjustable cuffs and 3rd grade-esque friendship tchotchkes. Eh, what can ya do? But if you're like me, and always looking to expand your arm repertoire, I've collected my favorites below. Or, you know, you can always DIY.

12/13/2012

If you're anything like me, you're tired of the sparkly minidresses that show up at every holiday party, making their victims look like crazed disco balls. (Except on New Year's Eve. Everyone should be sparkly on New Year's.) But for those other holiday events, i.e. dinner with your besties, work gift exchange, etc, I'm leaning towards a more eclectic look -- which brings me to my 5 tips for rocking a perfect hipster-lite holiday outfit that will show everyone that you're not cooler than them, but you're cool enough to be yourself. Whatever that means.

I believe I've discussed pattern mixing before, but that doesn't mean I can't bring it up again. It's one of those trends that says, "I'm so cool, I can dress like a crazy person and still look cute." So go with it.

One of my many issues, along with being anemic and having astigmatism, is that I'm always cold. So, thank goodness layering up is in style. I get called out for being a hipster because I wear a scarf nearly everyday. But really, I'm cold, you guys. It's not my fault scarves look so fly. I'm also obsessed with wearing a chambray shirt over everything. But that's just my art school roots.

Ok, so maybe the holidays call for sparkly heels and the bright red soles of Louboutins. Sorry I'm not sorry, poor little rich girl, but I'm going to be stomping around in my clunky boots. No, the grunge scene is not making a comeback (no thanks, Doc Martens). I just prefer to be comfortable. Also, I like the way my big ol' boots look with my miniskirt. It's all about balance, ladies.

I'm a big fan of arm parties. Like big time. And slouchy hats. They add to the homeless look I regularly go for. I'm not sure if I can hop onboard with this bowtie, but I think she looks adorable, so hey.

Animals are everywhere this season. So let's embrace it. Hipsters, skaters and art school kids alike are known for wearing wolf-howling-at-the-moon airbrushed t-shirts and ironic sweaters. This is terrible. I do not advocate it. However, why not take away all of those cray crays' irony by wearing animals for real? I don't care what BuzzFeed says. Who even knew they had a style site?

12/11/2012

No matter who you are, layering is one of those essential life skills that gets us through the winter with our sense of style still in tact. So the question is: would you rather spend $407 or $1822 on a comfy, yet stylish look?

12/07/2012

Welcome to the final installment of Hipster Home Essentials by Sean McColgan & Tania Dakka. If you've missed their previous picks, check out parts one and two -- just to make sure you know about these quirky finds before they become cool and everyone has them.

Custom Made Wooden Book Rack

This awesome and original idea of a bookshelf is begging to house your books. The pins they hang from smartly mark your spot. Hang your beloved books and make them an art collection, instead of dust collectors.

iRetroPhone

Is your iPhone announcing to the world that you’re anything BUT hipster? No more. Cradle it on this retrofone base and charge it while you camouflage it.

Fanimation Fan

No need to turn on the air this summer! Save energy and be green with this sleek version of a hipster air circulator.

Black Block Key Rack

Lost your keys again because you can’t find a suitable key rack to go with your newfound hipsterness? With these vintage-style blocks, your keys are smartly displayed - just like you.

Now that you’ve got all these great ideas, go forth and rock your style in your hipster home.

We'd love to hear about what you’ve found...let us know in the comments: What are your favorite hipster must-haves for the home?

12/03/2012

I have a problem with Christmas shopping. I enjoy it, really, but I can't help finding five things I want for every one gift I find. And while putting these gift guides together, I found that everything I liked had a common theme: silly animals.

This isn't a new development, though. While on a lunch break with a couple of coworkers, I dragged them to J.Crew so I could look around for a nice sweater or something. I was meeting almost all of the boyfriend's extended family that weekend, and I wanted something new to wear. However, the only sweater I could find that I liked had a crazy-looking French bulldog/English bulldog amalgamation on it. I came so close to buying it, but my coworkers talked me out of it by saying, "They'll only remember you as the weird girl who had a scary dog on her sweater."

So, in case you happen to have any friends or family members who share my fondness for stange animal items ... you can thank me later.

Despite all being 20-somethings on tracks towards successful careers, my friends and I all seem to be broke. And I'm proud to say that, without debate, we came to the conclusion that we should dress up and go somewhere classy for a nice holiday meal instead of fretting over gifts for one another. However, I still love finding funny/stupid/perfect gifts, so I did some searching anyway. Since my friends have all decided to be so responsible, here's what I won't be buying this year (but you definitely should.) Each pick is under $25, so you have no excuses, my dear brokety-brokesters.

12/01/2012

Let the gift guides begin, starting with a few suggestions for that person in your life who never seems to be happy with anything you buy. Sure, they'll tell you to their face, "ooh.. thanks ... I love it," but then the gift never again sees the light of day. Instead of giving up on these impossible friends, embrace their highbrow tastes with ridiculously useful and/or ridiculously unnecessary knick-knacks. I, for one, would love to spend a Sunday afternoon felting a mini owl friend. Also, food never loses.